Jacob from Pearland, TX

01/18/2018

Reviewer is A current student here.

1 of 75

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Comments

Great for these types of students

Students that want to immediately pursue what they are most interested in studying. The engineering school offers a handful of classes for freshmen to be able to studying their particular engineering field right at the beginning of their college experience, and I have found that to be very satisfying.

Bang for the buck

It is a great university for the cost compared to many universities that charge the dollar that this university does. I recommend filling out all the financial aid information that is provided, because you will most likely be able to receive something so that the cost is not as burdening in the very end.

What to do for fun

I like to hang out with my friends at the end of the week. I am not one for all the fraternity and sorority parties that happen on-campus, but many are. After the first couple weeks, the parties die down and late-shining freshmen begin to realize that they need to study (do not be one of those, please! It will only make your GPA be a bit more disappointing at the end.).

Food and Dining

I find the food in the dining hall to be of much better quality than many of the food options that are offered in the Wilson Commons. I have, overall been pleased with the quality of the majority of the food. It can become easy to get sick of the food about 2/3 the way through the semester. I recommend prospective students to try different places every week or so in order to avoid getting sick of the options so soon.

Dorm Life

I live on the freshman quad. The dorm rooms are nice and have the old-style feel to it that I appreciate. Despite the buildings being built around the 1920's, they were renovated around the 1970's and much of the furniture has much more recently been replaced. My only main complaint is that the showers do not have hot water hardly at all. The sinks, on the other hand, can have burning hot water. I often do not like the smell of the kitchens and the appliances in the kitchen as well. Other than that, the dorms are nice and I like what I am provided. I would recommend that ResLife refurnish the rest of the dorm supplies (wardrobes and desks) in the near future.

Academic Rigor

The academics are hard, but they are worth the effort that you have to put in. It is much different from the academic environment from high school, but it is very nice once you adjust. One heads up is that you will have a variety of different style professors. Even though some professors will be boring, they are more than willing to help if you take the initiative to seek help. It is better to do it early than later. One more thing, be sure not to procrastinate at the beginning of the semester because if you do, it will be hard to catch up!

Tips for prospective students

Students that are interest should have a well-rounded high school record. The students and admissions like to see students that are not solely involved in studying academic work. The student body at the University of Rochester gets involved on-campus by either getting a job, playing a sport, joining a club, or performing in one of the fine arts. Getting involved in college is something that employers like to see, and it is why the University of Rochester student population is committed to getting involved.

In three sentences

I find the University of Rochester to be a great university with rigorous academics, relatively nice professors and employees, and a diverse population of students that I feel I fit in well with. Winters can be cold, but they are pretty with the snow on the ground and the ice art in the river when the temperature gets slightly above freezing and the top layer melts. The summers are gorgeous and the scenery is a sight to allow your mind to have a break from the rigorous academics.

Audry - Ontario, NY

12/22/2016

Reviewer is A current student here.
Reviewer has not been to campus.

3 of 75

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Tips for prospective students

Be yourself in the application process. Never pretend to be who you think the admission counselors want. If you have a story tell it. Grades are important but being a person and having passion is even more important.

Academic Rigor

At U of R you study what you love! Because of this students are engaged in each class they take. Classes are rigorous but there are countless resources and people to help you succeed. I always feel like I'm learning something new and useful.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Students don't walk under the clock tower with the dandelion under it. If you do you will not graduate.

Hirst Lounge hangs the flags of each country represented by at least one student.

Bang for the buck

The price tag is pretty expensive, but I definitely feel like the quality of life and learning I am receiving is worth it.

What to do for fun

Anything and everything you can think of! With over 200 student organizations, there is no doubt that you can find something you're interested in. There are also parties on the weekend for those who like to let loose, both on campus and off campus. The clubs and students groups also host plenty of events/fun fundraisers that are open to all students.

Food and Dining

Nothing is ever going to beat home-cooked meals, of course, but the Dining Services do an excellent job. There is a variety of stations open everyday, and each station serves a variety of meals each day. The dining staff are friendly, and the dining hall environments are warm and lively. Outside of the dining halls, there is the Pit and a sub shop, as well as a Starbucks and a little market.

Dorm Life

The dorm rooms are actually quite large compared to some other colleges. The RAs, Freshman Fellows, and D'Lions are all approachable and willing to help. Additionally, they put on various hall programs throughout the year for their specific hall. Quite comfortable freshman living, and a variety of options for upperclassmen.

Academic Rigor

Depends on the specific class, of course, but in general these courses are not something you can pass simply by going to lecture and half-heartedly studying your notes. Freshman year might start off with a bunch of intro classes, but they demand a reasonable effort.

Tips for prospective students

The most important part of your application is that you show a genuine sense of curiosity, drive, or passion.

In three sentences

The University of Rochester is a place where the curious come to explore the world. It's a place of incredibly diverse interests and people, connected by the knowledge that each and every student is here because they are passionate about something. We are nestled in the crook of the Genesee River, only a short bus ride away from the city.

joshua from pittsford, ny

07/27/2016

Reviewer is A current student here.

2 out of 2 people found this review useful.
5 of 75

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

public safety is everywhere, and especially at night. we're surrounded by the city of rochester, but there are police officers as soon as you get off campus. i have never felt concerned for my safety while on campus.

What to do for fun

i sing in an a cappella group, play club tennis, play video games, run.

Food and Dining

it's college food. it's consistently alright. there are salad bars everywhere. you can eat pizza and burgers every day if you're into that. i'm not into that, so i'm going with three stars. the healthier non-salad options are hit and miss, but i tend to make my own food after living in my freshman dorm.

Dorm Life

well, for freshman living, it's not too bad. my class year was larger than they originally anticipated, so there were a lot of people in triples and quads in these small rooms. living arrangements are pretty great with suites available for upperclassmen. a fair amount of people choose to live off campus in houses, though. living is pretty affordable off campus if you have roommates.

Academic Rigor

study for multiple hours every day. many courses curve to a b-, especially the further along you get in your studies. don't expect a 4.0 just because you did well in high school. so many people coming in overconfident, do poorly their first year, then set themselves up for failure in the future.

Tips for prospective students

don't be too focused on what you want to study coming in here. you're going to learn a ton, but it's good to keep an open mind. take a music class. learn about psychology. don't get too pigeon-holed with engineering or whatever you may already know you like. bring warm clothes. expect weather below zero regularly (with wind chill) during the winter.

In three sentences

you get to take whatever classes you want at the university of rochester, except for a writing course your freshman year. without other general education requirements, you'll see many students with double and even triple majors. it's cold, the people are nerdy, but you will learn a ton if you come here.

shirley from woodside, ny

07/07/2016

Reviewer is A current student here.

6 of 75

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

there are always public safety cars roaming around, especially at night or when there is some main event going on. there are also blue phones everywhere on campus, which are used to call public safety when you might be walking back to your dorm and you suddenly feel unsafe.

Greek Life

there is a fraternity area where are the fraternity houses are.

Clubs and Activities

there is a good amount of clubs and activities on campus ranging from musical theater to archery!

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

there are two infamous underground tunnels at the campus. one links the main academic buildings so you don't need to really freeze yourself when it's the winter, unless you're going to the science buildings. another tunnel connects the freshman residential hall to spurrier, which used to be for swimming but now has practice rooms for piano, drums, and carillons. it's a pretty scary tunnel at night because of all the graffiti though!

Bang for the buck

it is expensive but then again, all private schools are expensive. they do try to offer you good financial aid and there are always plenty of opportunities to work on and off campus and get scholarships! the academic here, in my opinion, is not lacking considering how much we pay.

What to do for fun

there are constantly events throughout the weekend that offer things to do. you can take the bus down to the plaza and still go shopping. i'm from nyc so rochester is a little dead but there it is still nice and quiet when you just need that alone time as well as some fun events when you want to socialize with friends.

Food and Dining

there are highs and lows about the food options. there is only one big cafeteria and one smaller one, sometimes when you just want to grab something to eat around 3pm on a saturday afternoon, there is really nothing to get besides some microwavable foods from the market next to the cafeteria.

Dorm Life

the dorms are cozy and well heated throughout the year. sometimes it can get a little dirty in the bathrooms but that's all based on how your hall cooperates with each other.

Academic Rigor

introduction classes such as chemistry and biology are pretty tough; the professors really gear towards concept questions. unlike high school where you can just memorize facts the night before the test, these classes really allow you to grow as a student and learn how to apply what you learned to real life situations!

In three sentences

the professors are there to help you so make sure to go to their office hours! the open curriculum allows student to be able to study whatever they want, fulfilling all their passions and creating new ones.

Sarah from Rochester, NY

12/18/2015

Reviewer is A current student here.

0 out of 1 people found this review useful.
7 of 75

Categories

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Campus Safety

People get abducted and rescued by swat teams, as was seen in recent news. Honestly, being in the city, things are bound to happen. The college tries their best with blue light phones direct to public safety all over campus and public safety watching out in specific places. However, there are still many reports sent to students of muggings and theft quite often.

Clubs and Activities

They have everything and the kitchen sink. Just go to the activities fair. Some groups or sports are very open and will allow anyone to join (quidditch and swing dance being two of my favorites) and there are also groups and sports that are by audition or tryouts (such as the many a capella groups or club sports) . Plenty to get involved in!

Great for these types of students

Students who will study hard and not get discouraged if they don't get straight A's. Wants to get into research.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

For freshman orientation, there is a week of long events, including the candlelight ceremony. There are also many weekends of events such as meliora weekend, yellowjacket weekend, and D-day.

Bang for the buck

This school is super expensive and while there are lots of opportunities, there are lots of things that should be included in the $60,000 that are not. For example, printing is still very expensive. Laundry was just made free this year, which is a plus. But overall, things here are outdated for the amount of revenue I'm sure this college gets from tuition every year.

Food is either good or not good. There's always somewhere on campus that you can get food that is tolerable. Danforth, Douglass (which is being renovated now), the pit- including blimpies sup shop, panda express, burrito bowls and grill- are all options to eat. There are many options for freshman who have meal swipes to eat in places other than dining halls. There are also options for people with busy schedules to get clamshells and take their food with them or the grab-and-go in meliora restaurant.

Dorm Life

The dorm buildings are really old and are not super clean as is the case probably anywhere when you live with a large amount of people. There are lots of options for housing as upperclassman.

Academic Rigor

The tests here are difficult, especially if you are in science courses. Most majors require an upper level writing requirement or engineering majors often require many large projects. Exams are most of the grade in a course, so if you are not prepared for your exams, or if you are a poor test taker, it can affect your grade greatly. However the academics here are great and you learn a lot in each semesters class.

Tips for prospective students

Be prepared for a lot of work and very difficult exams. Hard work is important, but it wouldn't get you everywhere. Studying is super important to do well on your exams. Professors and lectures are only sometimes helpful so be prepared to need to teach yourself a lot if you are bad at understanding the professors.

Orin from Brooklyn, NY

Hey! The University was ranked sixth (6th) by the Daily Meal in their 75 Best Colleges for Food in America for 2014.

Dorm Life

Dorm life have its own competition. Students are also trying to prove or disprove that the ResQuad is better than Sue B (for freshman)/ Perks of ResQuad are that; you're closer to the Frat Quad, most freshman lives there and if placed in LoveJoy, you will find yourself living with upperclassmen. The Quad rooms are also bigger than that in Sue B. Perks o Sue B; Danforth dining hall and Hillside are on the ground floor of Sue B, closer to Rush Rhees Library and maybe a little more intimate setting for freshman, since its one building with numerous halls, rather than the quad which it numerous buildings.

Academic Rigor

The academia here at the U of R is very rigorous. Like, at most tier one universities, competition is on campus and you'll need to know how to manage your own time (you're treated as an adult here). Research opportunity are available, and most times, it will be expected of you to approach professors and show that you're interested in their projects or experiments. A typical writing class ends with a final 8-10 pages research paper.

Tips for prospective students

The University of Rochester is one of the nation's leading higher education. With a faculty to student ratio of 9:1, students are assured that they will receive the attention necessary for them to succeed throughout their years here at the U of R. Class size are typically 10-25 students, but in the sciences and math, it tend to be pretty large. But wait, don't be scared, workshops or professor/teacher assistant office hours are offered for to students sitting in these classes. In writing classes, there are also writing fellows and consultants at your service. If interested, I would advice a prospective student to do intensive research about the university. Meliora.

In three sentences

The Open Curriculum serves the purpose for student to explore ad take their academic path into their own hands. The University is known for its music school: Eastman School of Music. An Awesome Science and Engineering College, with the added bonus of the super Rush Rhees Library.

Ryan from Groton, MA

0 out of 3 people found this review useful.
2 people found this inaccurate.
10 of 75

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Comments

Food and Dining

Food was very unimpressive.

Dorm Life

Can't say; I'm a prospective student, not a current one, but Cappex required me to enter something.

Academic Rigor

Can't say; I'm a prospective student, not a current one, but Cappex required me to enter something.

In three sentences

The students seemed to be hanging out in pairs and groups, and socializing with each other more than at some other schools I've recently visited (where students seemed to be much more by themselves). They were very friendly and welcoming to us. That definitely left a good impression.

Stephanie from Bronx, NY

There is security on an off campus. While in my time at UofR there was racial profiling, yes it is an issue everywhere but UofR is trying to improve is inclusion and cultural sensitivity.

Greek Life

Greek life is not very big in Rochester nor it is for everyone. Do your research.

Clubs and Activities

Definitely get involved!

Great for these types of students

Students who thrive in intimate environments and who want to be challenged as well as wanting to get straight into their major without millions of gen-ed requirements.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

DDay is a fun day. Also at the end of the fall semester, there is a day in Danforth dining, where you can use your declining meal dollars to pat for unlimited crab legs and steak. People are willing to struggle for weeks in order to make sure they had enough declining to go to this day.

What to do for fun

Well, there's always the Frat quad, but the Frat Quad is not very welcoming to people of color. But usually when I was an undergrad, there was always a get-together in Southside or off campus. But I hear Boulder's cafe is the new stop to go to, which is right across the bridge.

Food and Dining

Like every college or University the first couple of weeks the food is amazing, then the cooks get lazy and the food starts to suck.

Dorm Life

Dorm life is cool. Loved the Freshman experience, floormates were awesome people!

Academic Rigor

The Professors at UofR are experts and know their material, so be prepared to work hard and be pushed to do your best.

Tips for prospective students

If you want to be challenged, be in a college environment where there is an opportunity for the professor to know your name due to small class sizes as well as having many research opportunities, the UofR is for you.

In three sentences

UofR is a small university with many resources for students of color to take advantage of and have a successful college career. There are many activities one can take apart of like leadership roles in Fraternity and Sororities as well as dance, theater, or cultural groups. My regret is not taking advantage of study abroad opportunities.

Niki from Livonia, MI

From all of the rapes, deaths, and muggings I've heard about (plus bomb threats) I would say campus safety is pretty awful. They are attentive in distributing parking tickets, though.

Clubs and Activities

They have a lot of activities and clubs, but people don't seem to be incredibly interested in anything. There's a swell of members at the beginning of the year, but about a month in everything drops to maybe three to five people.

Great for these types of students

People who like to party. Also, people who are really interested in research. There are a lot of research opportunities that are relatively easy to get into. As a school, this is a terrible place, but as a research institute, it's pretty nice.

Bang for the buck

There is nowhere you can go to study outside of your dorm room alone because all public study areas are packed at all hours of the day. The school doesn't seem to care much about their students and the students seem to be interested in drinking more than anything else. The only students who try are those planning on going into grad school. There have also been an insane amount of student deaths and muggings at this school. Everything in super expensive, which I guess is okay for a lot of people because a majority of the student population come from rich families.

What to do for fun

There is a movie on campus every weekend and other activities, but students seem to be happiest drunk at parties. I've also heard of a lot of rape charges here on campus. I don't know if that's normal, but it certainly wasn't the case at my first college.

Food and Dining

The food is terrible and they make the students living on campus have meal plans much larger than they are able to use. Everything is overpriced. You could get the same thing at really any other store for half the price, at least, and probably at better quality.

Dorm Life

If you're a transfer student or upperclassman who wants to save money, you have limited options for living off campus. The area is not safe, the options are expensive, old, run-down apartments or shared housing in an unsafe neighborhood. The school takes in more students than they can hold. The dorm rooms are big compared to other schools I've looked at, but are SUPER expensive. Also, students are incredibly disrespectful to public property.

Academic Rigor

The professors are generally nice people, but a great majority of them are TERRIBLE at teaching. The grades in the Psych classes (my major) are determined by two or three exams alone, and the exams don't test understanding, merely the student's ability to memorize information. A lot of them rely on TA's to grade, and some of them to teach, which makes it very impersonal. A lot of the classes are 100-300 students and a lot of the students don't even care enough to come to class! There are some good professors and grad students who actually care about the students' understanding, but they are hard to find. Once you find them, you'd want to take all of their classes, but you can't because chances are you are in one of the two classes they teach and the other class you already took with a different professor. I've heard awful things about the professors in other departments as well, especially the chemistry and biology departments. The English department (with the exception of freshmen writing classes) seems to be pretty good, though. The classes are not easy and you don't learn anything.

Tips for prospective students

Do not go here if you are a transfer student. They will make you live off campus and do nothing to introduce you to the college.

In three sentences

This school is overpriced and pretentious. The institution doesn't care about the students and the professors care more about research than teaching. Don't go here.

Amanda from Cleveland, OH

Students who are passionate about several different academic areas, students highly interested in research (especially biology/chemistry/medicine/physics).

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

D-Day is a fun carnival-type event on the last Friday before finals every Spring semester.

In three sentences

Small school, but with incredible opportunities: research, volunteering, student government involvement, anything. Everyone can find a niche. In terms of academics it is very challenging, but rewarding, and it is very easy to build relationships with professors.

John Smith

There isn't really a type of student, though being driven and passionate helps. Visit campus, and try to stay overnight. That's how I knew I belonged here.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Don't walk under the clocktower! Also there are libraries within libraries within libraries here (I'm speaking literally here). They are gorgeous, take time to explore and take it all in.

Bang for the buck

Yeah, it's really expensive. Don't let that discourage you from applying! They give out a lot of need and merit based aid. I think the experience and education I'm receiving is worth the cost.

What to do for fun

There's always something going on. A Capella is a huge deal here and the concerts are great. A lot of bands play in/near Rochester.

Food and Dining

It's dining hall food, it's gonna get boring after a while. Though there's a few bright spots, starbucks being one. Grab and Go (sandwich's and salads) is really good, especially when you're stretched for time.

Dorm Life

My hallmates have quickly become my best friends, and I don't know what I would do without them. There is a great sense of community between students and the overall tone is very collaborative.

Academic Rigor

It's extremely rigorous and challenging, but the workload is manageable. There is a lot of work and a lot of studying, but with proper planning it is definitely possible to participate in extracurriculars and have a social life.

Tips for prospective students

The admissions committee puts a lot of emphasis on the interview for a reason, and it's really important if you want to get a scholarship. Don't worry about being super formal, they want to see who you are and what you're interested in. It was a much more relaxed conversation than I ever thought an interview would be.

In three sentences

The University of Rochester is a great research opportunity school and very academically rigorous, yet allows students the freedom to still be able to explore multiple academic and extracurricular interests. The best part about the school however would have to be the people who attend it and the sense of community there is. I have met an extremely diverse group of people here, and have quickly made great (and large) groups of friends.

Kylie from Tallmadge, OH

People who don't want to take a lot of required classes, people who like the snow.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Don't walk under the clocktower!

Bang for the buck

Not gonna lie, it's really expensive to go here.

What to do for fun

The city is relatively close, so you can always go there. There are movies that play on campus every weekend. There is also a bit of a party scene on campus. There are parties almost every weekend, so if that's your thing then you're in luck. Nobody really cares if you don't party though.

Food and Dining

The campus isn't that big, so there aren't that many food options. I currently have a dining hall in the building that I live in, which is really nice. The food gets boring after a while, but that is to be expected of any college.

Dorm Life

The freshmen housing isn't all that great, but it gets better once you become an upperclassman.

Academic Rigor

The classes are tough and the professors expect a lot from you.

Tips for prospective students

If you don't like winter/the snow, don't apply here.

In three sentences

I love it here! The people are great and everyone is very helpful. I also love snow, so this is the perfect place for me.

So many fun clubs and activities on campus. There are clubs for things that I had never before heard of, and the A Cappella groups on campus are amazing.

Food and Dining

The dining halls need to extend their hours a little bit, but the food is pretty decent. I am a very picky eater, so this is not something that I can answer well.

Dorm Life

A miscalculation was made with my class and there are currently more students in my class than were expected, resulting in the creation of many triple- and some quadruple- rooms. This is really just a mistake that will not happen again, though. Other than this, the dorms are very nice and I have made many friends with my hall-mates.

Academic Rigor

I feel challenged by my classes- they offer Freshman Organic Chemistry- but I do not feel as though the material is over my head. I have found that I am learning things here that I would have to wait until I am an upperclassman to learn in other schools.

Tips for prospective students

Don't be afraid to go searching for opportunities of any sort. You need to be proactive.

In three sentences

Challenging, rewarding courses with incredibly cool professors who want you to succeed. Beautiful campus with free shuttle system for students to travel to certain off-campus locations. An awesome library.

Delia from Dallas, TX

Security here is wonderful! Public safety officers are always around and make sure you feel safe.

Great for these types of students

Unique Multi-talented Balanced Creative

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Whatever you do....don't walk under the clock tower or you might not graduate!

What to do for fun

There are always parties on the weekends as well as events at the Eastman School of Music and you can always attend some RIT parties.

Food and Dining

There are four main places to eat at the U of R. Two are dining halls, there is a restaurant, and a food court.

Dorm Life

It all depends on whether you actually attempt to be social with your hall. There are many hall activities throughout the semester and it's up to you to participate.

Academic Rigor

Being a humanities major, my schedule is rigorous yet flexible. In contrast, students who are engineering majors are faced with a more rigid and rigorous schedule. That being said, most classes will be very rigorous but supportive at the same time.

Tips for prospective students

Prospective students should demonstrate balance through participation in extracurricular activities. Prospies should also take part in some of the fly in programs offered by the U of R.

In three sentences

The U of R is a great place to experience unique classes and student events. Furthermore, U of R allows students to explore their passions through different lenses. There are many double and triple majors due to the flexibility in curriculum.

Aaron from Covina, CA

08/15/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
18 of 75

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

Campus Safety is great. There is a notification system that was featured my freshman year and worked flawlessly. If there is a problem that was reported, the notification system will text, call, and/or email you the problem that was reported and to avoid the area. Also if you ever feel scared, you can call campus security and have them escort you. There are hundreds of blue lights everywhere and even though safety is a prime goal, the student needs to be smart and not look for trouble where it might be.

Greek Life

You cannot join a greek life your freshman year and there are strict rules against hazing. A Fraternity has been banned from the school for 5 years, they come back this upcoming year, for hazing and there are investigation when hazing seems to be present.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

The tunnels are one of the best places to venture to as a freshman. And going through one part of the tunnels has tons of layers of paint from years of painting. However, I would never go through the center tunnel when its raining since it can smell quickly down there.

What to do for fun

There is a lot to do on campus, the hard part is finding which one to do. There are many clubs and we have two gyms. Every Saturday a bus goes to the mall area which I always did so that I can get off campus.

Food and Dining

If you have time to spare, then I recommend going to Danforth Dinning with is located in the Freshman building Sue Bee, Susan B. Anthony. If your in a rush, go to Douglass, or the pit, which is the basement of Common Connections. If you ever have time, which you will, I strongly recommend getting a Mel Burger which is in the Meliora Dinning Center above Douglass Dinning Center. It was annoying as a freshman that you were required to get an unlimited dinning plan because it was expensive and had little declining. However, this upcoming year 2013-2014 should offer a new plan for freshman which offers so many meals a semester and more declining. I would recommend getting one of those plans rather than the unlimited since you get to choose what you want.

Dorm Life

As long as you can get along with your roommate well, there shouldn't be too many problems. In a hall there is a possibility to dorm near the other gender, but the school has strict policies against rooming with the opposite sex. The workers are really nice, although they can become mean if they discover a disgusting mess in the bathrooms. Simply cleaning up after yourself as best as you can will keep a smile on their faces, and a clean bathroom.

Academic Rigor

Every student here was admitted from the top of their class so the grading here is somewhat harsh. Also because of this, it can be difficult to stand out to the other students unless you are active with the teacher.

Tips for prospective students

As I heard thousands of times before and will hear it a thousand more times, do not procrastinate. College is primarily about being able to manage your time wisely. If during high school you had many classes and stayed there till morning till night, as I did, and suddenly only having 4 classes in college, makes one realize how much free time you have.

In three sentences

Great Research facility and has many opportunities. Although the school does offer a good amount of financial aid, the tuition increases every year by at least $1,000 and the financial aid given by the school decreases.

Anonymous

07/24/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

3 out of 3 people found this review useful.
19 of 75

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

The campus security takes special precautions to make our lives on campus safe, for example there are special student driven cars in the night to drive us from one part of campus to another, ID card swipes into every building, security cars patrolling areas of campus.

Greek Life

The 31 fraternities and sororities around campus do make college life a lot more fun and entertaining even for those of us who chose not to join the greek life.

Great for these types of students

Definitely a school for students who are planning to major in the sciences and engineering because with the medical campus just a short walk away there are opportunities that lie behind those doors that you may not find at another school. Also definitely a school for those who are interested in research because the University of Rochester is definitely one school that spends a lot of its resources and professors here encourage greatly in the field of research be it sciences or the humanities.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

There are two important traditions on campus that happen in the academic year: one is in the fall and is called Meliora weekend, which is the homecoming weekend and during this weekend there are numerous activities to do and a lot of families come down and all-in-all its a fun time and the second tradition around campus is in the spring semester and is called Dandelion day or more popularly D-day which is celebration of the arrival of spring because winter does get to our nerves up there in Rochester.

Bang for the buck

It is an expensive school but with the generosity of the school in terms if financial aid and the opportunities you get in return, everything makes it worth the money you give the school.

What to do for fun

Rochester's a small city but there can be a lot of exploring to do around campus and the university's other campuses as well (Eastman school of music and University of Rochester Medical Campus). Along with downtown Rochester, that has a lot of small boutiques, cafes, bars and clubs, the area around Rochester also has a lot in store for you.

Food and Dining

It would be a lie if I said that the food you get on campus is like the food you get at home, but the food is not bad at all. There is usually a variety of choices you can chose from even though the number of dinning halls are limited. For those of you who are vegetarian, vegan or allergic to certain types of food, you won't starve to death. And I think it would safe to say that the food on campus can lead to the freshmen 15.

Dorm Life

The dorm rooms are decently sized and the bathrooms are clean and tidy for the most part. The buildings are also clean and aren't very far from classes. All of these qualities make the don't make living in a dorm a nightmare. Most students live on campus all four years of college which does say a lot about the dorms on campus.

Academic Rigor

The classes can be tough and there will be many nights you will spend in the library working on more than one assignment. One thing that makes the classes harder is the incredibly smart members of the class, but the academic rigor provides a perfect representation what is out there in the real world and prepares us to work harder. Also there are number of resources such as professors, TAs, tutors and not to forget our peers who make it a lot more easier.

Tips for prospective students

It's a small sized school with numerous opportunities to meet people from across the world and a school that will help you in many ways to fulfil your dreams.

In three sentences

The University of Rochester is not merely a place where one comes to learn and grow in the classroom but is a place where students grow and develop as individuals of the social society along with the academic society. The numerous opportunities around campus along with its open curriculum not only allows one to explore different interests but gives us a glimpse and a hands on experience on the lives we would like to pursue. The academics, the faculty, the students and the community makes University of Rochester one of the best colleges in the United States and makes it Meliora, Ever better!

Luke from Lake Grove, NY

07/05/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

I feel very safe on campus. Nothing to worry about.

Greek Life

Greek life is dominant in terms of the party scene. I came to school thinking that I wasn't the fraternity type, but have since opened up to the idea of joining such an organization. They create a tight click of friends for charitable and recreational activities.

Clubs and Activities

There are soooo many clubs!!

Great for these types of students

Rochester is great for any student who dislikes the restrictions of a strict curriculum. The cluster system allows you to choose all of your own classes, perhaps pursuing a passion unrelated to your major. Since there are so many people going there for science, it creates a very interesting culture of nerdy science people. As a Biomedical Engineering Major, it really helped to have so many others around with similar interests.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Dandelion Day is our spring school-spirit celebration. It's a lot of fun ;)

What to do for fun

There is a large greek life presence on campus, and joining any of such organizations will be a lot of fun. Parties are both on and off campus (in the 19th ward), but there is much more to do than that. I would say the vast array of clubs available is a great way to branch out and find a new interest.

Food and Dining

Danforth serves pretty healthy, pretty tasty food. The one downside that students typically complain about is the fact that there is so little variation as the year goes on. On the bright side, there are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options.

Dorm Life

I love living in the dorms. To me, its a great experience having so many people my age with similar interests around. Dorm life definitely lessens the stress of classes.

Academic Rigor

This school is hard. The U of R is definitely not the most elite institution in the country, but still holds its student to a very high level of excellence.

Tips for prospective students

Get involved quickly!! As a freshman, I was able to play on the Club Squash an Rugby teams in addition to doing two semesters of Neurobiology research! The U of R has so many great opportunities for students, including clubs, sports, greek life, and the opportunity to take lessons at the eastman school of music.

In three sentences

The the medium-sized undergraduate class makes it easy for students to find research positions and get involved around campus. The winter is harsh, but there is enough to do around campus to keep yourself busy and prevent seasonal winter insanity. The atmosphere is not as competitive as ivy leagues, students are friendly, supportive, and often work in groups to accomplish assignments.

Decent enough to live off of all year, with plenty of other options to switch it up now and then.

Dorm Life

Basic dorm qualities, at least on the residential quad. No air conditioning but it's simply remedied by a fan.

Academic Rigor

There's a reason it's classified as a new ivy university. It has all the rigor and some of the name without much of the pretentiousness.

Tips for prospective students

Make sure you know generally what you want to major in. Rochester's freedom in curriculum allows you to take courses in many areas of study, without any general education requirements except a freshman writing course. However, so you can maximize the other areas of study, you should know where you want to get into for school. Take care to visit as well, if not a summer program then a simple campus tour will do.

Emily from Cape Girardeau, MO

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has been to campus.

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Food and Dining

The dining commons have food specialized for vegetarians and those with allergies so everyone will feel comfortable dining there.

Dorm Life

The dorms are not too small and even in winter, will keep you warm.

Academic Rigor

The classes have a wide variety of topics and you never know what will interest you.

In three sentences

The school campus is beautiful and has a very home like feel to it. The library is full to the brim of books and will be a common place for students to be studying. The school will be a wonderful opportunity for students to learn and grow.

Jake

There are many sports teams, clubs, and other activities going on on campus. It is easy to get involved, just find what interests you.

Food and Dining

There are lots of dining choices on campus, so food is never an issue. Additionally, there is a large variety of food, so whatever your tastes are you will find something to eat.

Dorm Life

The dorms are just what you would expect. Nothing fancy, but they are perfectly fine to live in.

Academic Rigor

I managed to ease through high school, but college is a different story. If you want to succeed, you have to try.

Tips for prospective students

Make sure your application is solid. This school is not for everyone, and you have to be smart to get in.

In three sentences

The University of Rochester is a small school on a big campus. It is a great school for any major, whether it be engineering or music. Those interested in research should be especially interested in the U. of R, because it is extremely easy for any student to participate in undergraduate research.

Hannah from Rockville Centre, NY

06/13/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

There are emergency telephones posted at essentially every location on campus, including bridges, buildings and roads. There are also security personnel that are always on duty that will be at your location if necessary within a maximum of 3 minutes. In addition, there is a volunteer group of EMT's called MERT (Medical Emergency Response Team) that is very active on campus. Plus, there are Residential Life personnel who regularly scan the buildings looking for anything suspicious or hazardous.

Greek Life

Greek life is present on campus. It can either be your life, not involved in any way, or anywhere in between. I believe that the percentage of involved students on campus is around 20-25%. This is low enough that you can have a life completely outside of these organizations or you can get involved!

Clubs and Activities

There are so many different clubs at the U of R that it is impossible to get involved in all of them! I personally became strongly involved in 3 clubs and stay as an active member in 2 others. It keeps my life active, balanced between academics, social activities and dorm life.

Great for these types of students

Socially awkward, quirky, nerdy, but still fun and cool kids are generally the type of people who attend the University of Rochester. We have a presence of athletes, school spirited people, musicians, artists, chemists, leaders, and more. You will always be able to find someone to get along with.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

There are so many different hiding spots on campus. Just check out the 101 things to do before graduating! (I'm sure it's on the website somewhere: www.rochester.edu)

Bang for the buck

Tuition is pretty expensive, but the experiences you have growing as a person in addition to the academic development is something that I would not trade for the world.

What to do for fun

There are hundreds of different organizations at the University of Rochester, such as clubs, sports, leadership positions, job opportunities and social activities. There is almost never a reason to leave campus because there is always something happening! This is definitely a college to get a campus feel.

Food and Dining

There are plenty of healthy choices and food is almost always available at virtually any hour. The only complaints people may have are if you have specific food restrictions, such as allergies, diets, etc. Otherwise, the food quality is pretty standard.

Dorm Life

Dorm life is absolutely fantastic if you make it that way; if your hallmates start off the year with doors closed, it will not be very social. If you initially hang out with each other and start to learn who is who in the hall, they end up becoming your best friends and support group for the rest of your college life (and farther)!

Academic Rigor

The work is going to be hard and organizing your time schedule is vital. Sleep will become your best friend since your mind will become exhausted from assignments. Academics are something to be compared to; top of the notch.

Tips for prospective students

I highly suggest becoming active in clubs, hall councils, academic groups, sports, social events, etc. It allows you to meet people and make your college experience rich with self-exploration.

In three sentences

The University of Rochester is one of the most well-rounded schools out there. The people are friendly, non-competitive, active and bright. The academics are extremely good and the campus is absolutely stunning.

Kianna from Schenectady, NY

We have blue emergency phones all over campus that are direct links to security. I have never felt worried for my safety, even when walking around campus alone, at night.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

There is a clock tower in front of the gym, and it is a tradition to NOT walk under it, it is bad luck if you do.

What to do for fun

There are a lot of options for clubs and activities, including a variety of dance groups, a capella groups, and leadership opportunities. We also have a few days during the school year were there are festivities and we get the day off from class.

Food and Dining

The dining halls are pretty good, but the Starbucks we have on campus is the best part from my prospective. It is the largest on campus Starbucks in the U.S.

Dorm Life

There are a lot of options when it comes to living on campus, so you will find something that fits with you and makes you comfortable.

Academic Rigor

Some of the courses here are intensive, the pace is fast, especially for natural sciences.

Tips for prospective students

Talk to your advisers and really look at the course guide to find what you think you are interested in, and what you feel is what you want to do. Do not be afraid to try something new, or to ask for help/advise, there are a lot of people there to help you.

In three sentences

The University of Rochester excels when it comes to offering opportunities to help the students gain lab and professional experiences, regardless of your major. There are multiple programs in place to ensure that you not only find your right major, but also to ensure that you succeed. The courses here are at the level to challenge the students, but it for the best.

Minsoo from Portland, OR

You could go out to the lake or even visit Canada! Take a train down to NYC.

Food and Dining

The cafeteria supports vegans :)

Dorm Life

Dorms are quite decent compared to most other schools, but regardless not everything is good.

Academic Rigor

Depending on the majors, but engineering majors are really tough.

Tips for prospective students

Be prepared to thrive, but struggle to survive. All efforts will not go to waste.

In three sentences

A wonderful place for intellects to thrive in various aspects. Definitely a place to be in if you're not too into partying. Supports fine arts department with the dual enrollment program with Eastman School of Music.

Join any club! Go to the Museum of Play! Attend any show or greek-sponsored event!

Food and Dining

They do have options for vegans and vegetarians! In terms of variety, the food can be lacking but not too bad.

Dorm Life

The dorms are pretty ancient but if you like history and tradition, why not? They have recently built a newer dorm that is pretty nice!

Academic Rigor

Depending on what your major is of course classes will differ on intensity and work load.

Tips for prospective students

Do not be afraid to live off campus! It will save you a lot of money and chances are you will also have better living accommodations.

In three sentences

This school is perfect for pre-med students because it will definitely prepare you well for the MCAT. It also provides great opportunities in terms of internships, extra-curriculars, and greek life. They aslo have a beautiful college campus and great libraries!

Kristen from Felton, PA

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has been to campus.

2 out of 2 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

Driven, interested in research

Bang for the buck

Rochester is on the expensive side, but in my opinion it is worth it.

What to do for fun

There are so many clubs that there is a good chance that everyone can find something they want to participate in. The city of Rochester is also home to museums, theathers, etc.

Food and Dining

I have heard others complain about the food, but when I visited I thought it was great. There are several places to eat and there are many options.

Dorm Life

Freshman can live in either the Quad or Sue B. Both are excellent in their own way. The rooms in the Quad are larger than typical dorms and Sue B. has a dining hall.

Academic Rigor

I haven't taken any courses yet, but Rochester is well known for its rigorous courses.

Tips for prospective students

Be sure to interview if possible. Although it is not required, the interview is a great chance for you to get to know more about the school and to showcase yourself in ways you couldn't on paper. Students who interview also have a better chance at earning merit scholarships.

In three sentences

The University of Rochester offers great opportunities. Students can participate in a variety of activities and clubs on-campus, including but not limited to, urban exploration, Greek life, and sports. Meliora!

Timothy from East Aurora, NY

The Eastman School of Music, Strong Museum of Play, Concerts on Campus for special events and our very own Acapella Choirs.

Food and Dining

The Unlimited Dining Plan is an exorbitant amount... Other than that, the University caters to all backgrounds of the nutritional group. Omnivore, herbivore, and the Carnivore(If there are any intrepid enough to make this claim).

Dorm Life

Really, more like three and a half stars. The rooms themselves are not bad accommodations, for the possibilities are endless.

Academic Rigor

Pursuit of Happiness is as much about happiness as it is about the journey there. Learn while you are able, so that in looking forward you do not have to worry about where you have been. The professor's goal is getting you, the student, to understand where he/she sees you at the end of the semester. This can be challenging to some!

Tips for prospective students

What you don't ask for, you won't get. Be inquisitive. Asking questions, will get you farther than assuming. In fact, in as much as the professor teaches a class; it is all the more so the student that is a reflection of his or her teaching. Professors make assumptions that they do not explicitly know.

In three sentences

Who can make a personal choice to forego the commotion of a big city, the simplicity of a rural setting, and the glamour of a state school? No, Rochester is not in the middle of nowhere, it's somewhere. Here. I can tell you this because I am here. So, ask yourself, What do I know about Rochester?

Karen from San Antonio, TX

09/04/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

Campus is very safe. There are many Blue Security phones on campus and also a phone number you can use to call Security or MERT (Medical Emergency Response Team) to assist you. Students care for each other, so you don't have to feel unsafe. There is always someone available to help you.

Greek Life

Greek Life is big on campus but doesn't take over residential life or student activities. They host a lot of parties and other campus events, but just bring students together instead of overwhelming them.

Clubs and Activities

There are around 200 clubs and activities and they play a big role in campus life. A very wide range from Quidditch, to Anime Interest Floor, to UR Hip Hop.

Great for these types of students

Engineers, Music students, people who love snow, If you are looking for a mid-sized school- U of R isn't too big nor too small.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

There are two giant rocks outside of a residential building called Sue B. for short that are paint. There is also a clock tower in Dandelion Square that you are not supposed to walk under or you will not graduate. Traditional events consist of Meliora Weekend, Yellow Jacket Weekend, Wilson Day, Tropicana, Chinese Nite, etc. During the winter, students slide down the hill behind Sue B. There is also a swimming pool full of desks somewhere on campus, (but you typically have to find it yourself).

Bang for the buck

The school does many things for its students. On move in day, we didn't have to take our stuff up to our rooms because many of the upperclassmen did it for us.

What to do for fun

Most fun comes from the campus activities organization. Comedians and bands will perform. There are many parties on the weekends, but there are also a lot of club-hosted events, such as In Between The Lines Improv Troupe and The Yellow Jackets.

Food and Dining

The food has a okay food. There are some culturally diverse foods such as tofu and tortilla wraps, but still have comfort food such as burgers and pizza. There are vegan and vegetarian dining options, also.

Dorm Life

Dorm life is good. It is based off a lottery selection, but you can request where to live or a roommate on a mutual request. Freshman housing is on river campus, and not too far from the library, dining halls, athletic building or book store. You can meet many people on your floor in your lounge. Practice rooms are available in the basement as well as the laundry room.

Academic Rigor

The academia at U of R is rigorous but interesting and gives a lot of room for growth. You can sign up for recitations to review material in large classes with a smaller group in case you didn't understand the lecture of missed something. Study help and tutors are available.

Tips for prospective students

I recommend visiting the school if you have the chance. There's so much more to it than what websites and articles can provide. Although it helps to do research about the courses and the subject areas available. This school is a large research institute, which can reap its benefits to those looking to do research work.

In three sentences

U of R has great professors and a great selection of classes and organizations. Residential life is pretty good, and the food is acceptable. The campus is gorgeous and not too far from the city, but the trips to local stores such as Walmart can be a hassle at times.

Sarah

08/16/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Greek Life

Although it seems, percentage-wise, as though not many people are involved in Greek Life, it is actually quite popular. Many people join Greek Life who are not your stereotypical sorority girls or frat boys.

What to do for fun

Hang out on campus - it's difficult to go anywhere else unless you have a car. There are plenty of dorm parties, as well as bar parties off campus during the weekends.

Food and Dining

The food is not great, and it is overpriced.

Dorm Life

Living in a co-ed hall during my freshman year was my favorite part about college.

Academic Rigor

Challenging, but not overly so.

Tips for prospective students

Before attending, I thought that Greek Life was not very prevalent on campus. However, it is a fairly prominent part of the social life here.

In three sentences

If you are taking humanities classes, your classes are likely to be small. The size of the school is just right - you are more than just a face in a crowd, but there are enough people that you can branch out or change your social circle half-way through college and meet people you didn't know existed. The meal plan is terrible.

Student from Scottsville, NY

07/29/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

Since we're in the city, there is a fair amount of crime surrounding campus, but security is everywhere! They try their best to prevent any problems! The only issue is the bridge going off campus - always take the shuttle - it's so much safer!

Greek Life

There are many fraternities and sororities on campus, but Rochester is a chill campus, so the members aren't the movie-typical members - they're all individuals who come together to bond and have fun! There fun parties held by fraternities most weekends (but don't expect to party during finals week - everyone is in the library!)

Clubs and Activities

Tons of activities! I can't begin to list all of them!

Great for these types of students

People who want to go to medical school, because of the pre-med program, but there are also tons of other strong programs, like engineering, psychology, business, etc. If you're smart and you want to work hard, this is the school for you!

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Sledding behind one of the freshman dorms, Susan B. Anthony Dorm! Since it normally snows a lot, it's a great study break! People used to steal dining trays to use, but the dining services stopped using the trays last year, so people use boxes, or whatever they can get their hands on!

Bang for the buck

It's expensive because it's a private school, and tuition is constantly rising, but I feel that I get a quality education and opportunities as a result.

What to do for fun

Since you're in Rochester city, the sky's the limit! The University provides busing to parts of the city and the Rochester City Buses also come right on campus to take you everywhere!

Food and Dining

! Some nights, it feels like you're eating a science experiment, but normally it's good! The dining plan isn't great depending on where you live, because you're forced to get the unlimited plan, which only works at a few dining halls.

Dorm Life

People are very social - you bond with the people you live around! Generally, people are nice and are always holding doors open, etc.

Academic Rigor

Of course it depends on the program, but being pre-med means that I was constantly challenged!

Tips for prospective students

Everyone tells you this, but don't procrastinate! The classes will most likely challenge you - the best way to succeed is to stay on top of your work!

In three sentences

People are very nice and helpful, most students are pre-med, psych or business majors. Most courses are challenging, but don't be shy of your professors. There are tons of libraries for late night studying!

Kelsey from Miami, FL

07/21/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

There is a hospital on the medical campus for any accidents or sicknesses. There is a 24/7 service called MERT, the Medical Emergency Response Team, for anything that happens. There are what are called Blue Light Phones that are visible at any part of campus where one can call for assistance or to report any suspicious activity. Security will provide and escort students if they feel unsafe in any place they are and there are trained students and professional security guards patrolling the campus at all times.

Great for these types of students

Engineering--the school is one of the top for engineering--and anyone who wants to do research. It's in the top 40 in research universities. There is a med school, so students who want to be medical professionals are also perfect. The Sign Language program is amazing, taught by deaf teachers. Rochester has a 1:7 deaf to hearing ratio.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Don't walk under the clock tower. There's a legend that says you won't graduate in four years if you do.

Bang for the buck

It is incredibly expensive. For some people it's not worth it, but for me it is. I love my school and will do anything to stay at it for all four years.

What to do for fun

I was part of the Sign Language club on campus and did a lot of activities with them. there are dozens of active clubs on campus that do so much. I was only in one, but I knew people in many who loved it. There are buses and shuttles that take students of campus to downtown and other places. Clubs and greek life tended to sponsor great off campus things such as ice skating in the winter and apple picking in the fall. There was definitely never not something to do.

Food and Dining

The food depended on the day, really. Sometimes it was amazing, sometimes it wasn't. It for sure didn't beat home cooked meals. It also depended where you ate on campus. Some food was great, some food wasn't.

Dorm Life

I became very close to my hall. We did everything together and spent a lot of time with each other. I met amazing people that I spend a lot of time with in my dorm alone. And as for the actual quarters, it could become cramped, but I was out of my room so much, it didn't affect me.

Academic Rigor

In high school, I went to an esteemed, rigorous art school. I spent a lot of time working. That said, I was barely ready for the workload here. It's not just the homework, but learning to manage your time when you have so much that is free of class.

Tips for prospective students

This school really is a place where you make your own major. If you like a rigorous, structured schedule, I wouldn't recommend this school, unless you plan on going into engineering. With no prerequisites, this school is very free and open to exploration. Otherwise, I recommend it in every aspect.

In three sentences

I've met some of the smartest and creative people, in the students and staff, I've ever known at this school. Everyone is amazing to get on with and the education I've received here has been grueling but worth it. It was the best choice I could have made in terms of the environment, the extra curriculars, and the education I wanted to pursue.

Colin from Randolph, NJ

07/09/2012

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has been to campus.

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Great for these types of students

Sciencey students, possibly those who don't quite feel as connected to their school or sports- Rochester is a great place to come into your own social life and there's very little excitement over sport games.

Food and Dining

Average food and dining. You will not go hungry, but you may want to get a meal that's not fast food every once in a while.

Academic Rigor

High academic rigor- people don't go to the school for the climate. Only a few steps behind the Ivy's.

Tips for prospective students

Check out what the plans and required classes are for your major, there may not be as much freedom as is promised. Also, visit both during the beautiful time when the trees are blooming in spring, and the cold time in winter. You will have to live through both.

Hang out with friends for fun, and attend concerts and parties. Also, be sure to try a garbage plate.

Food and Dining

There are two newly renovated buffet style cafeterias.

Dorm Life

I heard that dorm life is fun, and very sociable.

Academic Rigor

I have yet to take a class, but from what I heard you are challenged thoroughly but affectively.

Tips for prospective students

Make sure you feel you have gotten the highest possible grade on the SAT, there are plenty of scholarship opportunities at the school that you don't want to miss out on.

In three sentences

By far, the University of Rochester is the best school for valuing the interest and independence of its students. Its research opportunities are plentiful, and so far what I have heard it truly is a little Ivy. I cannot wait to attend and be an official YellowJacket.

Christina from Kent, WA

07/03/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

I have never, ever, felt scared or uncomfortable on campus. And if I ever did, campus security is always around to help you out. There are what we call Blue Light Phones everywhere (even in the tunnels) and simply by picking up the receiver, campus security will be alerted of your location and will come to your rescue without you even having to say anything. But like I said, I have never felt like things were unsafe, even when I was walking from one end of campus to the other at 2 am.

Greek Life

There is a Greek presence on campus, but it's not overbearing, and nothing like in the movies. Students who are into that kind of thing can find everything they're looking for, and students who aren't don't feel like they're left out.

Clubs and Activities

There is literally something for everyone. No one should not join a club. It really does enhance college life.

Great for these types of students

The University of Rochester is an incredibly diverse place, but there is one thing almost all students have in common; they all love to learn and will do anything in their power to make sure they, and everyone around them, succeeds. It's like an Ivy League school in that everyone is incredibly gifted, but without the notorious Ivy League competition.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Beneath the school, connecting almost every building, is a huge labyrinth of tunnels. These tunnels are built to help students get to class comfortably during the snowy Rochester winters. Some of these tunnels are colorful and painted and change every week. It's always a treat to see what art is put up on them!

Bang for the buck

It's REALLY expensive, but the school is good about giving Financial Aid and Merit Awards, plus it is the best place on earth!

What to do for fun

What a student can do for fun really depends on them. The school itself has a lot of activities it plans, from the large assortment of clubs to seasonal things, like turning the library into a haunted house for Halloween. There are also of course, the classic fraternity parties, and in Rochester city there are usually concerts or other fun things to do. Or if you're into more low-key things, you can take a nice stroll by the river that runs through campus at sunset. The sky's the limit! Though, personally, my favorite thing to do is watch a scary movie with my friends late at night and then wander around the huge cemetery the school borders.

Food and Dining

It is college campus food, so it's not going to be a gourmet restaurant (well except for finals week, when the school hires real restaurant chefs to come cook in our dining halls!). However, I very much enjoyed the food at my school! There was always a lot of options and everything was delicious! Also there are a lot of different places to eat on campus, from the classic dining halls to grocery stores located in dorms, to fast food chains on campus (Panda Express and Starbucks are always the favorites).

Dorm Life

The dorms themselves, depending on which one you're in, can either big and new or small and old, but trust me when I tell you that where you live matters little. Being surrounded by all the great people you meet in your dorm more than makes up for any short comings the dorm might have. I will be friends for life with the people I met in my dorm last year!

Academic Rigor

I gave it 4 stars, because U of R is strongly academic school, which earned it its title of being a new Ivy, but it's also not ridiculously difficult. I'm not gonna say that college is a breeze, but the course load is definitely not unbearable! I took some of the more difficult classes in my first year (multidimensional calculus, physics, chemistry, etc) and it wasn't overly hard, and I learned loads!

Tips for prospective students

Do yourself a favor and check out all the amazing things the U of R has to offer! If you're musical, the Eastman School of Music, rated second in the country, is part of the U of R! You can take classes there for free, and get some of the best musical instruction in the world! Also, for the pre-meds, the Medical School is just a 5 min walk off campus and the people there love to teach people-even undergrads! As a freshman, I was able to observe an open brain surgery, in the OR! Be thorough in your research of this school- there are great opportunities for everyone!

In three sentences

I honestly can't say enough good stuff about this school! I had the time of my life my first year, and still learned lots! Everything about this school is a perfect fit for me!

Nahoma from Rochester, NY

I always feel really safe on campus. If you want to go off campus at night, there are definitely certain places nearby that you shouldn't go alone, but the campus itself is super safe.

Bang for the buck

The University of Rochester is very expensive, but there are a lot of scholarship opportunities that make it more affordable.

What to do for fun

It's really easy to get off campus to go hang out downtown near Eastman, or there are always things going on on-campus that you can get involved in. But if you want something more low-key, there were always fun people to hang out with in the dorms.

Food and Dining

There aren't that many places to eat on campus and it definitely depends on what kinds of food you like. The food is ok though, but I do prefer to cook for myself.

Dorm Life

While I wish there were more options for kinds of housing, I loved my freshman hall. They did a great job of putting us in groups of great people and ResStaff are really helpful. Most of the dorms are pretty nice too.

Academic Rigor

It definitely depends on what classes you take and how much you take to heart your education. Like anything, you get out of it what you make of it.

Tips for prospective students

I'd definitely recommend showing how diverse you are. Show interest in exploring new things as well as continuing with the things you are passionate. Don't be afraid to include random things about yourself that make you unique. That's what makes the University so diverse and interesting and the Admissions office loves to hear about that kind of stuff.

In three sentences

I love the University of Rochester. It has a great community and a huge variety of classes, students and clubs. I definitely get the impression that the University wants to make money, but that's pretty common for Universities, I think.

URstudent

Once you join the organization that is right for you, Greek life is great! (speaking from experience). However, the school's Greek administration has become very strict in the past couple of years.

Clubs and Activities

There is a large range of different clubs and activities. Go to the activities fair at the beginning of each semester to see what there is!

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

It snows from December to April. There is an underground tunnel system linking different academic buildings that you come to appreciate during the winters.

Bang for the buck

Yes, the University of Rochester is a top school, but it is way too expensive. I believe you can get a great education at a different school while paying significantly less.

What to do for fun

The cinema group shows movies every weekend I believe. They are movies that have already come out in theaters but have not come out on DVD yet. There are sometimes different events going on in school. There is not too much to do in the city of Rochester.

Food and Dining

Food at UR is your standard college cafeteria food. At first, the food seems pretty good, but after a couple of years, you get tired of it (but that is typical of most colleges). There is a Panda Express, burger grill, Mexican food, salad bar, two buffet dining hall, coffee stand, and Starbucks on campus.

Dorm Life

Dorm life is especially great during freshman year. You grow close to you Residential Advisor, D'Lions (they put on hall programs and help you adjust to college life), and hall-mates. When you become an upperclassmen, you choose where you want to live and who you want to live with, so you also have a great time.

Academic Rigor

Academic rigor depends on what department you are studying in, but overall, the university curriculum is tough.

Tips for prospective students

Visit the school; it will definitely impact your decision. If you do not want to pay so much for your education, I would not recommend this school (it is MAD expensive).

In three sentences

The university is a small campus, but it is very beautiful. The people are nice, and there are a lot of opportunities. However, tuition is very expensive.

Becky from Brookfield, WI

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has not been to campus.

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Campus Safety

I think it's going to be pretty safe. I've heard some stuff, but what college campus doesn't have anything tragic happen there? At least, it's not like Virginia Tech bad...*knock on wood

Clubs and Activities

So many clubs and activities!!! :D I think I'm gonna love student life at Rochester--hopefully.

Great for these types of students

Determined, adventurous, open-minded, hard-working, chill.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

They have something like a garbage plate or trash plate at some nearby diner that sounds absolutely disgusting, but apparently, it's cheap.

Bang for the buck

It is OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive!!!! Financial aid is a pain, too. I mean, they requested so many forms that my father actually said that borrowing money from the bank with bad credit isn't even this hard! And I think the the financial aid office themselves is a little stingy on money, but I appreciated the help anyways.

What to do for fun

Clubs. I want to join a whole list of them, so hopefully, I have enough time. :)

Food and Dining

I was definitely not impressed when I looked on Youtube and in one of the videos they were prepping you to be all excited for some amazing dining option, and all they exclaimed was, A gigantic SALAD BAR!! Uh...I actaully want to eat a meal. Just salads is not going to do, but I will survive...somehow.

Dorm Life

It seems really exciting because they have special interests floors, the ECOrep program, and other activities. I also heard that the rooms are more spacious than typical college dorms, so that's a plus.

Academic Rigor

I was actually slightly nervous about not getting in, even though my scores were in their top range.

Tips for prospective students

Just be you. Tell Rochester how cool and awesome you are--high scores, passion for extra currics, love for learning, etc.

In three sentences

I picked the University of Rochester because I was attracted to their unique curriculum, which I think will not restrain me from studying and achieving what I want. I also wanted a school that was big on undergraduate research, and Rochester is BIG on that. More importantly, I think Rochester will offer challenging classes but also provide a fun and rewarding college experience.

Donna from SoCalifornia

Campus security continues to grow everyday. With numerous security cars and officers patrolling the campus, if you sneeze without covering it, they will find you.

Greek Life

The fraternities and sororities here are diverse and outgoing. They are friendly and definitely know how to make a bland weekend fun and wild.

Clubs and Activities

There are clubs and organizations for pretty much everything. Think of any sport..Got it? Well, University of Rochester has it, from rugby to lacrosse, to field hockey to track and field. Think of any club and if it is not at the UofR then you can easily find a countless others that would love to join you in creating the club.

What to do for fun

The school has several festivals and special weekends throughout the year alongside the festivals that are held in the city. As stated before, the university is a halfway point between the mainstream malls and theatres and the vintage boutiques and small, family-owned restaurants and shops. There is a beautiful park as well as a skating rink across the bridge. There is no limit to the things a student can find off and on campus.

Food and Dining

The food on campus is good but not great. The prices are incredibly high and the meal plan is sort of terrible. The hours are not convenient and the choices are limited except for at the cafeteria at the medical center that is across the street and the main freshmen dining hall, Danforth.

Dorm Life

The dorms are where you meet some of your lifetime friends. You live alongside about 25 other students per hall and triple that per floor. You will meet not only people from all 50 states but also from around the world and from every walk of life.

Academic Rigor

There is endless freedom of choice in the course here. I have heard several friends that have created there own majors and curriculum courses. The University tailors its course curriculum and choices to the interests of its students. The classes are incredibly difficult here and there is some competition among students; however, the school provides numerous opportunities for students to obtain help learning concepts and doing well in the classes.

Tips for prospective students

There are no limits to what you can do here at the University: there are countless festivals throughout the year and numerous movie theatres, sporting events, and concerts. Although there is a sports program here, it is not the greatest and if that is a big deciding factor for you, then I suggest choosing elsewhere.

In three sentences

The campus is brimming with numerous plants, trees and wildlife and is located on the bank of the Genesee River. The campus is gorgeous and green in the spring and summer, turning into a wonderland in the winter. It is centrally located in the middle of the city, which provides numerous fun activities and places to explore.

Eric from Durham, CT

Very safe and improving each year. I've always felt safe, but once or twice a year, there are security reports of students getting mugged

Greek Life

Fraternities are the central open parties on campus. About 40% of the student body is affiliated with a fraternity or sorority (statistic may be outdated). The tradition is strong, and the houses (though few in number on campus) are Animal House-esque. The school has been cracking down on Greek parties, encouraging the approval of all parties so that they know what's going on where.

Clubs and Activities

Everything you can think of, and then some. If you can think of it, you can apply for money from the school to get funded for it.

Great for these types of students

Again, the creative mind will prosper here. The open curriculum leaves room to innovate - you can mix and match classes, create an interdepartmental major, and get involved in research as an undergraduate for credit or pay.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Dandelion Day is typically the last Friday in April, when the entire student body congregates on the residence quad for a carnival, celebrating the arrival of good weather, and the end of a looonnnnngggg winter.

Bang for the buck

Though it is more expensive, the University of Rochester is worth every penny. Its financial aid department is getting better about offering more to its lower and middle class student body.

What to do for fun

Your freshman year, the fraternity quad is the happening party scene. Sophomore through senior year, most students look to dorm or off campus parties. The club scene on East and Alexander Avenues is hot on Thursday-Saturday. Tuesdays (weirdly enough) are a city-wide tradition to go out and party. Apart from the party scene, Rochester has everything you can think of in a 15 mile radius - ice rinks, bowling alleys, golf courses, rock climbing, running or hiking trails, beautiful community gardens, the nation's best Public Market (food is so cheap and fresh!)

Food and Dining

Aramark is the caterer for the school. Though it is expanding its repertoire, the food gets real boring real fast.

Dorm Life

Most dorms have been recently renovated, and are spacious and nice. The only drawback is that the U of R is expanding the size of its student body, and dorms haven't expanded as quickly. Consequently, triples are very common for freshmen and sophomores, but these students are rewarded with extra points for the housing lottery for the following year.

Academic Rigor

I went through the pre-medical curriculum, which was particularly competitive and rigorous. For those seeking to be academically challenged, rest assured, at the U of R, you will be.

Tips for prospective students

1) Take public speaking! It's taught each fall by Curtis Smith, the speech writer and coach for President George H. W. Bush. The class is fantastic, and limited in size, so the scene is not overwhelming when students get up to give their speech. 2) Try everything you can - whether it's a study abroad experience in Malawi, or a class on functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Rochester's wealth of courses should be taken advantage of. 3) Park where you're supposed to - University Parking is strict, and will boot you if you don't park where you should.

In three sentences

A true liberal arts college, the U of R offers students an open curriculum, a vibrant on-campus life, and a small college feel with approachable faculty and graduate staff. Rochester is the place for an innovative mind - many classmates created their own majors, double majored, or Took Five to explore a non-major side of academia in a tuition-free fifth year. The school listens to its student body, and is renowned for its pre-medical, pre-law, economics, fine arts, and neuroscience departments.

Sarah from Oswego, NY

I know this school comes with a very large price tag, but it is definitely worth the education and degree that you will receive at the end.

What to do for fun

There is an enormous variety of different clubs and organizations on campus, so it is really easy to become involved in almost anything that you want to do! Additionally, there is a large number of student athletes that participate in varsity athletics, and there is always some type of event going on during the weekend- including turning one of the lecture halls in to a movie theater!

Food and Dining

The food is okay, nothing spectacular, though it has definitely gotten better over the past two years.

Dorm Life

The dorms can be fun, particularly freshman year. There is always an ongoing discussion about which freshman dorms are better- Susan B Anthony residence hall, or the freshman dorms on the quad. Either way, bonding with your particular hall is very common, and the different hall themes can be really fun.

Academic Rigor

Very challenging school, particularly in the science courses, but definitely worth the effort put in to the education!

Tips for prospective students

You will most likely need pretty good test scores and a well-balanced variety of extracurriculars to get in here, and definitely try to sit in on a class with a student before you apply! Additionally, if you are thinking of majoring in one of the various engineering fields here, make sure to note that when you apply, as the curriculum is much more strict for those programs and requires you to take certain classes at certain times during your college career.

In three sentences

Rochester is an academically challenging school with a beautiful campus, and is full of great people! The professors make you work to the best of your ability, and challenge you to go outside of your comfort zone by pushing you to work harder. Additionally, being a student-athlete here is a tough, but extremely rewarding experience.

Melisa from MARLBOROUGH, MA

Greek life has become a larger part of campus this year. There is no pressure at all to join greek life, but it has its own presence. They throw parties that are open to the campus

Clubs and Activities

Hundreds of clubs! If you have an interest, chances are there's a club about it. And even if there isn't the club you're looking for, it's very easy to create one

Great for these types of students

Great for students who want a good education, but don't want to spend all their time studying

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Only on Halloween or senior week can a student gain access to the tip of the iconic Rush Rhees library. And on Dandelion Square, if a student walks under the clock tower and on the dandelion seal, they're rumored to never graduate.

Bang for the buck

The school is very nice, but not worth a cost of living of almost 60,000 a year. They're very good with financial aid though!

What to do for fun

What to do for fun is what you make of it. The school has free bike rentals to let students bike along the Genesee River or in Genesee Valley Park. Free buses run all day to the city and to the mall and movies on the weekends. But there's plenty of on campus activities like movies and performances every weekend.

Food and Dining

The dining halls were recently renovated during the summer of 2011. Vegan and vegetarian options are found everywhere and the school is very accommodating towards documented allergies. The food is edible, but don't expect high quality

Dorm Life

The freshman dorms are very accommodating. There's upperclassmen on every hall to help freshmen with the transition to college along with an academic adviser and a residential adviser. Upperclassmen dorms are more independent

Academic Rigor

The science classes are intense. If taking even 3 a semester, expect spare time to be at an all time low. Most require labs and recitations/workshops. Classes in other departments still have a vigorous workload, but most of it is completed outside the classroom

Tips for prospective students

Do not intend to slack off! In high school you may have been one of top students in your class, but so was the majority of the student body. Get used to the word study ;)

In three sentences

The university is filled with intelligent students from around the world, making classes challenging. The student body is diverse dedicated to having fun while keeping studies a priority. The campus is absolutely beautiful and a perfect size

Brooke from Hot Springs, AR

05/04/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

If you are attacked on campus they are very quick to track down who did it (if they're a student). You can always ask security to take you back to your dorm at night and you can call directly just by picking up one of the many blue-light phones on campus.

Great for these types of students

High achieving, motivated.

What to do for fun

There are many activities to participate in: volunteer, a Capella, seasonal events, improv, rock climbing, dance performance groups. Rochester has many choral and a Capella groups such as the Yellow Jackets (who have been on a national television singing contest). It also has an international theater program.

Food and Dining

All of the meal plans are expensive. The dining halls are pretty good and efficient, and if you have an unlimited plan you can go all you want. All meal plans come with declining that you can buy coffee and pastries from the coffee places on campus (Starbucks, Pura Vida, Connections) or get fast food (Panda Express, etc.) and groceries with.

Dorm Life

There are hall activities given for each hall. There is always something going on in the student union. Freshmen have to stay in doubles with a communal bathroom down the hall, but after that you could be in a single or suite.

Academic Rigor

As a prestigious school with a 39% acceptance rate, Rochester does have a hard work load. It's worth it, though.

Tips for prospective students

Work hard to raise your standardized test scores and grades because UR has high expectations. Also, participate in activities and volunteer work. It really helps your chances if you can stand out and prove you can be a great addition to the campus (what's so special about you other than that you're smart?).

In three sentences

The University of Rochester is a very prestigious and expensive school, but they give on average 96% of the students financial need in scholarships. Rochester also has a school of medicine and a school of music on campus, and many activities.

Dolly from Rochester, NY

04/16/2012

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has been to campus.

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Clubs and Activities

I am passionate about fencing I was surprised to find out the school has a fencing club because there aren't too many schools that offer that. There are a phenomenal amount of clubs, sports, and activities on campus. They offer things I've never even heard of, it's almost impossible to not find something you love.

Great for these types of students

I think it'd be great for students going into Liberal Arts and still undecided on what major they want to pursue because the University of Rochester has such a variety of choices, and even allows you to do independent study if they don't offer it. They are extreme flexible and encouraging when it comes to making sure you learn what you want.

Bang for the buck

They are great with helping you get through the financial aid process, and have done their best to help me make sure I get all the money I can so I can attend there. They offer all sorts of scholarships for incoming students, and chances for students to apply for more scholarships offered by the university once enrolled.

What to do for fun

As I mentioned before, this university does offer a wide range of extra-curricular actives on campus for students during their free time. However, the students are able to visit other places around the city such as the malls, movie theaters, restaurants, parks, and much more if they want to get off campus.

Food and Dining

They have two dining halls on campus. The one I went to had a variety was great because they had different stations of different foods. Not only did the cafeteria give a home like feel, it even showed the nutrition facts next to each entree.

Academic Rigor

This University is extremely flexible in what courses you need to graduate because they don't require several specific classes to graduate. While they do require clusters in two categories outside your major, the courses you choose are completely up to you. I was told you need 128 credits to graduate, and students take about 4 classes a semester on average, each one being worth about 4 credits.

Tips for prospective students

Start the application as soon as possible. It is a very long process, and you must be persistent in getting it completed. Check up on your e-mails, and account, or even call to make sure everything the college needs has been received. I'd also recommend an interview and tour so you can get to know the campus, and have someone for the campus get to know you. The admissions staff are very kind and helpful to help you get everything done.

In three sentences

The University of Rochester offers a broad amount of opportunities for students in as many ways possible, and it's absolutely awesome. They have an enormous variety of majors and student activities all in one place, and it's difficult to find a college such as this one that can do that. I've looked all over New York state not realizing the college that suited me best was in my own hometown, and I can't wait to start in the Fall!

Rebecca from Centreville, VA

04/13/2012

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has not been to campus.

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Tips for prospective students

I'm really excited to possibly attend this school next fall, but a word of warning to future applicants: thanks to my status as a National Merit Finalist I received Rochester's highest scholarship, but the total cost will still be at least $10,000 more than high tuition+room and board at an instate public college. Unfortunately acceptance does not equal affordability!

Jennika from Monmouth Junction, NJ

04/05/2012

Reviewer is A past student here.

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Campus Safety

The campus itself is extremely safe, with security patrolling around and security phones all over, if you ever need one. The places the buses take you are safe, as well. WALKING off campus becomes a little more dicey, but as long as you're careful (and/or it's daytime), you should be fine...and, even if you're really unlucky, you won't get hurt, you may just lose your cash.

Clubs and Activities

A LOT of clubs and activities, so you can be doing something whenever you want.

The all-you-can-eat buffet... well, it'll certainly give you the Freshman 15 quickly. And its best food is always served when parents/families are around. But the Pit and other dining places are good food all year round.

Dorm Life

Floors and halls are often involved in all kinds of activities. Easy to make friends and hang our regularly. The special interest housing helps, too.

Academic Rigor

Very good, especially with research. And American Sign Language.

Tips for prospective students

Visit and see what you like, but keep in mind that it's a research school. Also, get ready to live with MONTHS of snow.

In three sentences

A very intelligent campus. Highly-focused on research of all kinds, but especially the sciences. Still has plenty of social clubs, events, and the like, though.

Kelvin from New York, NY

Snow always opens up opportunity for winter activities. There are plenty of activities on campus and within the local Rochester community that one can always be reasonably occupied.

Food and Dining

For a private university the food and dining may be disappointing and sub-par at times.

Dorm Life

While rooms are larger compared to most other colleges, the quality of housing varies greatly between the places you choose to live in.

Academic Rigor

Like any high tiered university, UR demands a great deal of academic work from its students. The students here are incredibly intelligent, which leads to you to always want to be as good as your peers.

Tips for prospective students

Rochester is noted for its cold weather, beware the snow and lots of it!

In three sentences

UR is a truly exceptional research and academic institution. With its small class size and talented faculty, students are able to learn from and communicate with their professors at a much more personal level than would be available at larger colleges. Additionally, UR is able to maintain this degree of intimacy without sacrificing its quality in other respects.

Emily from Rochester, NY

The food is okay, but it gets really old after a while. I wish there was another option for dining on campus.

Dorm Life

The dorm rooms are much bigger than at most other schools I have seen. Other than size, the dorms are pretty average.

Tips for prospective students

Learn about the Rochester curriculum. It is something that truly sets the school apart.

In three sentences

The University of Rochester is a beautiful campus located right outside the city of Rochester, NY. The school is small enough to feel like home, but large enough to provide plenty of opportunity. It offers everything someone could be looking for in a school.

h.

03/02/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

4 out of 4 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

although it is located near a troubled neighborhood with a history of crime, the campus itself is quite safe and utilizes numerous safety measures including patrolling security guards and blue light telephones.

Greek Life

there are several fraternities and sororities who have a decent showing on campus.

Clubs and Activities

there are so many things to do here, it's hard to conceive of them all. there are several a capella groups (including the yellowjackets, who competed on the sing-off this past year) in addition to numerous student societies for people of almost limitless persuasions.

Great for these types of students

anyone with an open mind, a love for learning, and the determination to get wade through the mire of classwork. also, music students: the u of r has the prestigious eastman school of music, which students can either apply directly to or take classes at throughout the semester. oh, and people who have an interest in medieval history. we have the robbins library of medieval texts and a minor in early modern and medieval studies (i have taken a couple of classes in medieval studies here and loved them.)

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

there is a system of underground tunnels which runs from the library through various buildings around campus, so you don't freeze to death walking to class in the winter. the center tunnel, which connects one side of the academic quad to the other, is frequently re-painted by student groups in advertising or artistic endeavors.

Bang for the buck

there's no denying that the tuition is ridiculously high and the food is pretty bad, but the quality of the academics here and the student life more than makes up for it.

What to do for fun

there is always something to do on campus on the weekends here, from frat parties, to concerts, to guest speakers (recently including poet susan stewart and jerry springer), to comedians, to films - new and old - shown by the cinema club for cheap admission prices, to performances by student dance, singing, and theatre groups. off campus, there are several bars and clubs in downtown rochester as well as occasionally bigger events in rochester or the surrounding area.

Food and Dining

i'm a vegetarian. they'll tell you that there are a lot of vegetarian options here, but in reality it mostly boils down to spicy asian food, salad, some soups, and greasy pizza. recently renovated danforth dining hall is pretty, but always obscenely crowded and it's hard to get a spot to sit. douglass has terrible food, but it's not as claustraphobia-inducing. the freshman meal plan (unlimited) is a massive rip-off unless you eat three meals a day and stack your plate ten feet high, but you can petition to switch over to declining, which is cheaper and can be used to buy a la carte items from various cafes and shops on campus in addition to food from the pit in wilson commons which includes a panda express, a blimpie, a mexican food place and a burger grill and starbucks. the food is overpriced and you'll end up paying extra in tax if you don't use 'declining dollars.' most places accept visa, master card, declining, cash, and flex or uros (which is a re-loadable account for printing/laundry/what have you).

Dorm Life

dorm life is okay. double rooms are more spacious than average and the furniture is sturdy without being heinously ugly. wifi is available in most residence halls. kitchen facilities are limited. in hall-style living, bathrooms are communal but generally clean and it's rarely a problem to have your schedule conflict with too many others.

Academic Rigor

i take classes primarily with the english department, so that is what this is based on. most teachers assign three papers, 5-7 pages at least, throughout the semester. the reading load varies from class to class - i've had some where the reading for one night might be one poem, and some where it might be 250 pages of a novel - but the professors are very forward about their expectations. attendance in these smaller classes is very closely monitored and class participation is a fairly significant portion of some over-all grades. this is not a school where you can bullshit your way through class.

Tips for prospective students

be sure to highlight in your application what makes you unique as a person. even if your grades are perfect (or not, as the case may be) the admissions office cares a great deal more about the kind of person you are because it reflects on the type of student you'll become. (the dean of admissions has also said that the more unique the hobbies or life experiences that you mention in your application are, the more merit aid you stand to receive.)

In three sentences

the open curriculum here is the best of both worlds: providing a solid foundation for a liberal arts education while not forcing all students into a preset, mundane path. the people here are friendly and, for the most part, very open-minded. the food...well, something has to be rubbish, i guess.

Jake from PA

02/29/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Clubs and Activities

there are so many clubs on campus that fit basically anyone's interests. and if there isn't a club that's available to fit your wants and needs, you can always try to make one. the key word is try; it's much more of a hassle and pain than the admissions committee makes it out to be.

the school has events every weekend and is generally very active with lots of things going on each day. but, after a while you feel like you're stuck in your own little world and have to get out. free shuttles to downtown, the malls, and eastman keep things interesting on the weekends. zipcars are available too if you're a member.

Food and Dining

the dining is plain okay. the pit was revamped two years ago and now has pizza, zoca mexican, panda express, a grill, blimpie, and a self-serve salad bar. the other two are all-you-can-eat: danforth was completely renovated this past year and the quality of food is good, but there are some nights where there is nothing you want to eat. douglass should be next for a refresh. in all honesty, the food isn't the worst, but definitely could be better.

Dorm Life

my opinion may be biased as i am an ra, but i believe dorm life is great. you meet the most amazing people in your dorm who you connect with and become great friends with throughout your time at ur. rooms on the quad are bigger than in sue b, but both places have their advantages and disadvantages.

Academic Rigor

the ur is a new ivy, competing with some of the best universities in the nation academically. the admission keeps getting more competitive and the students are driven to succeed. the professors in large lecture halls don't teach very well and students must be ready to teach themselves the material in the way they learn best. don't be surprised to spend weekends in the library with a few nights out a month.

In three sentences

the university of rochester is a highly competitive research institution that melds together a research institution environment with a traditional liberal arts feel. ur doesn't have required pre-requisites and students choose the courses they are interested in. but beware, the workload is tough and is not for slackers.

Pre-med from Portland, OR

01/23/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

9 out of 10 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

there have been a few safety incidents since i arrived in august, but i feel like we as students have been properly informed about them. when something happens, you get an alert in your email and if it's urgent, you can get a text message or phone call about it.

Greek Life

as mentioned before - about 23% of the student body is affiliated.

Clubs and Activities

over 200 clubs you can get involved in - truly something for everyone!

Great for these types of students

intellectuals, quirky people.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

rush rhees is absolutely breath-taking at night!

Bang for the buck

i do feel like i'm getting a great education here, even though it is crazy expensive like most of the private colleges in the us. uroch does give generous financial aid though.

What to do for fun

greek life is kind of a big deal on campus - about 23% of students are affiliated with a sorority or fraternity. which means that there are almost always parties on the weekends on the frat quad. however, if that's not your thing, there are a lot of other things to do - movies that cost $2 played in our auditorium, hanging out with friends on campus somewhere, etc.

Food and Dining

we have two main dining halls - douglass and danforth. danforth provides really high-end up-scale food, but you can almost count on these things to always be there in some variation: something with fries, dessert, salad bar, pasta, usually mexican or chinese, vegan, and pizza or other pasta. douglass is more of a comfort food place - there's a kosher station, pizza/pasta stations, grill, and another station actually labeled comfort. food is fine at both, but nothing compared to home-cooked meals of course!

Dorm Life

freshman dorms on the residential quad are relatively big, compared to many other colleges. i'm living in a triple and there is still room to breathe with the standard room set-up.

Academic Rigor

getting a's is hard. as mentioned before, curves are set higher because of the intellect of everyone here. i'm pre-med and it's very rigorous and challenging - chemistry 131 (intro chem, 1st semester) is much harder than i expected, and i took ap chem in high school.

Tips for prospective students

-don't assume that college is, in any way, like high school. yes, we know you're on the top of your class, but that means almost nothing in college. everyone around you is as smart or smarter than you. this goes for rochester and every other college of its prestige, really. -make sure you really know what you want in a college - here you get exactly what is advertised.

Ashley from Houston, TX

01/10/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

4 out of 4 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

The campus is relatively safe. Obviously, one has to use their common sense about what they should and should not do. As with any place, walking alone in the dark is rarely a good idea. Rochester is not any less safe than your average city. Usually bad things you hear about stem from someone not thinking ideas through. Campus security is a phone call away, and responsive. If medical attention is needed, the campus medical response team is there. Also, there are blue-light phones pretty much everywhere in sight on campus.

Greek Life

Rochester's Greek Life is not your typical Greek Life. Instead of being cut-throat against each other, the groups on campus support each other and work together.

Clubs and Activities

Countless clubs one can join: if you can name it and people are interested in it, there's a club, and if not, you can start it!

Great for these types of students

Hardworking, dedicated, studious, but like to have fun and relax at the same time.

Bang for the buck

The tuition is a little pricey. However, you will graduate with a good education that will help you in career searches or applying to graduate schools. Make the most out of your time at Rochester: take up a minor, take classes that you never thought to take, learn a new instrument at Eastman, etc. The possibilities are endless, and since you are here, get the most out of your dollar.

What to do for fun

For fun on campus, there are endless clubs you can join: sports, music groups, hobbies, etc. We have some excellent a capella groups, so if you like to sing, I highly encourage you to try out! Musical groups have shows to attend. The UR Cinema club plays popular movies every weekend. After Freshmen year, you have the opportunity to join a special interest floor, where you live with people who share a common interest with you. Off campus, there are many coffee shops that play live music. Rochester is home to many festivals during the summer, so if you are here then, I highly suggest them. There are shuttles that go to the malls so you can do your shopping, and occasionally there will be trips to bigger malls if you don't have a car. The city has many museums and historical landmarks to visit. And if you're a partier, the frat quad on campus has parties on the weekends, and if you're 21+, the clubs downtown are fun to visit and nearby.

Food and Dining

The dining halls at Rochester have been undergoing renovations. The new Danforth has better food, which is always a plus! Meal plans are very pricey, and force you to eat on campus. I have always had trouble finishing a meal plan, but others don't seem to have that problem. My advice is to get the smallest meal plan that you are able to get for the building you live in. But, off campus there are MANY options as to food. If you like to cook, visit Wegmans, the local grocery store. If you like to eat out, there are tons of great restaurants that the UR shuttles have routes on. If you are a night owl, try a local fave, the Garbage plate, or you can order in what we affectionately call 'zonies (calzones).

Dorm Life

The dorms at Rochester are mostly older. Freshmen all live in corridor style living, with halls and shared bathrooms. Once you are a sophomore, you have the option of living in suites, where there are singles and bathrooms you share with about 6 people. As an upperclassmen, you can live in the nice apartments across the river, which give you your own bathroom (huge plus!) and a kitchen you share with 4 people. After sophomore year, however, you are allowed to move off campus: there is plenty of housing in the 19th ward for a reasonable price, and some say that living off campus can save you money. Living on campus, you have the convenience of being very close to class. Living off campus gives you more space. Either way, you have options, and I like that.

Academic Rigor

Rochester is by no means easy: to put it into perspective, finals week means everyone is in the library and real estate there is precious. But if you look at it in a positive way, Rochester gives you the opportunity to work alongside experts in many fields, which gives you great experience and first-hand knowledge. If you put in your time with your studies, you will surely have plenty of time for fun: like they say, work hard, party hard.

Tips for prospective students

Don't discount Rochester because it isn't located in a big, famous city: Rochester is a quick drive from most large cities, and has plenty of music, food, entertainment for a person to enjoy living here. Visit Rochester before you make any decisions, and be prepared for snow, even though it has been lacking in the past couple years. If you do decide to attend Rochester, take the opportunity to explore and get off campus! The City of Rochester really is a unique and exciting place!

In three sentences

The University of Rochester is a private research university located in Rochester, NY, that has the draw of having a smaller undergraduate class and professors that are experts in their fields. In addition, it has a flexible curriculum, known as the Rochester Curriculum, where the only required course for every student is a writing course. Lastly, it has close ties with the Medical Center, located nearby, and the Eastman School of Music (among many other establishments), which gives students lots of opportunities for research, new hobbies, and new talents.

Corinne from Williamsville, NY

Hard-working students who value education would gain a lot from coming here. The teachers are mostly very passionate and care about learning for the sake of learning.

Tips for prospective students

This is a relatively difficult school; be prepared to work hard. It is more than worth it, though.

Bang for the buck

Although it is very expensive, Rochester is a prestigious school and you gain a lot more from this school than just a great education. The organizations and opportunities available on campus are endless.

Am enjoying being here

The school is beautiful, the dorm life is great and it is all in all a very pleasant place to be.

Jinsol from Korea-Republic Of

12/31/2011

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Bang for the buck

Although great environment, the cost of attending is extremely high. Especially for international students who aren't eligible for financial aid, attending this college can be a huge burden for the family financially.

Am enjoying being here

The size, atmosphere, and high academic standards are all very satisfying features.

Am learning a lot

University of Rochester has unique curriculum of giving the students liberty to choose our own courses, and it lets us explore our own path by trying out various subjects and areas of interest.

Services are pretty good, I love the school, and the teachers are amazing. So all in all, it's expensive for a reason, but it's not perfect and there's not a lot of extra (aka, beyond FAFSA) financial aid unless you really fight for it.

Am enjoying being here

College is amazing. It makes all that high school crap worth it. UR is a fun place where you can stay on campus all the time and get that once-in-a-lifetime collegiate living feel. As long as you know what to do with your time, it's never boring. (Example: do homework randomly when there's nothing else to do, and when you have the option of hanging and having fun, you can without depriving yourself of too much sleep.)

Am learning a lot

Classes are fun and solid. The teachers I've had enjoy what they're doing and enjoy interacting with their students, which makes learning a whole lot easier. You still get out what you put in - I'm a humanities/social science major, so my classes have a lot of readings. If you don't do them, you can still do fine but you won't learn nearly as much. The people here are also great to learn from. Nobody just goes around spouting stories about their Kuwaiti childhood, but that would get old. Rather, it's when you know the questions to ask or when it just comes up in conversation. There's also enough people that you get a range of personalities and viewpoints that can be interesting to balance, but not so many that you're overloaded with people who you don't want to talk to.

If you can handle snow for the majority of the year, and weather that's unpredictable at times, you'll do good here socially and weather-wise. Definitely just follow your interests, especially if they change from when you're applying.

Bang for the buck

Definitely an expensive school, but in some ways it's worth it.

Am enjoying being here

There's a lot of clubs, organizations, and committees that will fit someone's interests. Finding the right one(s) just has to mean asking your Freshman Fellow, D'Lions, RAs, or other classmates.

Am learning a lot

The curriculum here at the U of R is really different than what a lot of people are used to: choose what you want to study WITHOUT going through general education classes. A lot of the professors are passionate about their subject matter and you can see it through their teaching.

Sabria from California

08/20/2011

Reviewer is A current student here.

2 out of 2 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

Students who love music-sings, dance, plays instruments! Students who don't mind cold weather. Students who love to learn about multiple subjects and who want to have freedom in their studies. The U of R can be a fit for any type of student!

Tips for prospective students

My suggestion is to most definitely visit the school and check out the lists of different student groups and see what interests you. I was lucky enough to visit the school for the Multicultural Visitation Program and I was able to talk to students and see the Midnight Ramblers and the Yellowjackets perform which is very exciting. :) Talking to the students and seeing the school made me want to go to the U of R!

Bang for the buck

The positive thing about this school is that they are willing to give you scholarships and grants but the negative is that it is still expensive. But overall I believe its worth it!

Am enjoying being here

I have met plenty of great people and joined cool student organizations which help me to enjoy the environment. The city of Rochester has plenty of nice restaurants and the Strong Museum of Play is amazinggggg!!!! The only negative thing for me was the weather. Being from California it was a little tough to get used to the east coast snow and it does snow for most of the school year but once you get over that it will be a very enjoyable experience.

Am learning a lot

This school has plenty of opportunities to learn so many different subjects because you are allowed to study humanities, natural science and social science courses. The school makes sure you leave college a well-rounded person. I love the freedom I get with deciding classes because I am able to take business classes (my major), studio art classes (my minor) and math classes (my cluster). You are also welcome to audit classes which is what I am planning to do with a Spanish class next semester. So with all the freedom of classes and very great professors, you will learn a lot!

Jordan

Students who want a very challenging work load but enjoy learning to the point where they will be willing to do the work.

Tips for prospective students

Go to the new student days of all the colleges you get accepted to. You may have a first choice and go to the new student day and find that the college or university you were looking at isn't all what you imagined it would be. Also try and talk to students who aren't apart of the admissions team. Those students will be able to give you a clearer picture of what the school you're looking at is like.

Bang for the buck

I gave this three stars because everyone I know is getting adequate financial aid for their needs and there are two dining halls being refurbished as well as a new residence hall being built. However with tuition rising yearly, teachers getting raises every year, and hardly any money going to the Student Organizations, it's hard to believe that Rochester is managing it's money well.

Am enjoying being here

The students who go to Rochester are bright and inquisitive and fun to hang out with. Student life isn't the most exciting part of Rochester but if you want to join clubs they certainly are available. There are always things to do, football and soccer games in the fall, sledding in the winter, parties on the weekends, and lots of people to hang out with.

Am learning a lot

All the social science and humanity teachers I have had have been fabulous, helpful, and knowledgeable. Sadly, the science classes I have taken have been lacking, Rochester is a great science school but until you get out of the introductory classes (Chemistry 1, Math 1, etc) you will be fighting for attention from your professor with 300 other students. As a history and political science major I do not have to worry as much about my natural science grades but it is disappointing that those teachers are less helpful, considering Rochester is a science focused school.

Tessa from Brockport, NY

07/07/2011

Reviewer is A past student here.

2 out of 4 people found this review useful.
1 person found it offensive.
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Great for these types of students

You've got to love intensity. The security gaurds kicked me out of the practice rooms after the building closed more often than not. If literally eating, sleeping, and breathing music sounds good to you, Eastman is your place. If you're going to burn out under that sort of intensity, though, don't go. You won't do well, you won't have a good time, and you'll waste a lot of money and time.

Bang for the buck

Eastman is really, really expensive, so don't be seduced by the name. If you love the teacher, though, and get a good scholarship, you should definitely consider it.

Did learn a lot

I was a student at the Eastman School of Music - I transferred because my studio teacher wasn't a good match for me, but ensembles, classes, etc are great.

B from Maryland

01/02/2011

Reviewer is A current student here.

6 out of 6 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

- Students ready to be academically challenged - Students who are interested in getting involved in extracurricular activities - Students who know what they want to get out of their college experience AND students who are not quite sure yet!

Tips for prospective students

- Class sizes range greatly. Many introductory classes (especially science and math) are very large, with hundreds of students. This may seem intimidating for most but these types of classes are made more accessible through meetings in small groups of students called workshops or recitations. In these, students are able to ask questions and discuss concepts. - Work loads for courses can be very demanding, depending on a students schedule. The Curriculum can help you in this way in that by minimizing requirements, students can have a more flexible schedule that works for them in terms of difficulty. - Academic advisors and faculty are very approachable for the most part. - Speak to current students to get examples of how they personalized their curriculum to see how this worked for them. - Remember that there are going to be plusses and minuses to any college you look at! Know that you can make college the way you want it to be.

Bang for the buck

The U of R is a very expensive school, it is true. However, with the curriculum that allows for such a personalized education and the diversity of students and student activities, I am finding it to be well worth it. I do not feel I could have found such unique students clubs, activities and students at another university. The ability to create such an individualized curriculum made me enjoy my college career more than I could have elsewhere because I was able to make my education my own. There are also loads of opportunities for research experience (paid or unpaid) that can help lead to jobs in the future!

Am enjoying being here

The flexibility and variety of courses available at the U of R translates perfectly to the students. Students come from a wide array of backgrounds and experiences. In my freshman year, I lived in a triple with a student from Peru and a student from China. This is just an example of the diversity of students found on campus. From a diverse student body, one can learn very much just by talking to new people and learning about their experiences. The U of R also has a HUGE variety of clubs and activities. There is Greek Life but it is not overpowering. During freshman year, it may feel like everyone is going to the frat quad for parties but this is not so! There are all sorts of people on this campus doing all sorts of interesting things and you do not have to look hard to find them. I feel it is very possible for every person to easily find their niche at this school. There are performing groups such as a capella and dance groups representing Indian, Korean, African, hip-hop and ballet styles (and many, many more), community service groups, environmental clubs, political clubs, academic clubs... The list goes on and on. The best part is that these groups are constantly putting on shows and events for the entire campus to take part in. There are movies every weekend and with the events provided by the clubs and the Campus Activities Board, students will find that they are learning just as much outside the classroom as in.

Am learning a lot

The Rochester Curriculum perfectly shows the philosophy of the U of R. Diversify! Try new things and explore. Rather than the first year or two being filled with general requirements that prevent you from taking courses of interest to you, Rochester allows you to take courses you are most interested in taking right off the bat. The cluster system allows for this flexibility. The curriculum is broken down into the following subject areas: physical sciences, social sciences and humanities (Your major will fall into one of these categories and the other two can be satisfied by a minor, a double major or a cluster which is just 3 related courses!). The available clusters are NUMEROUS. Anything you can think of and are interested in, it is available. This is the idea behind the Rochester Curriculum and as a current student, I can say that it is effective. Taking courses that you are interested from day 1 of your academic career allows you to personalize your education and be engaged throughout.

Zeley from Brooklyn, NY

12/28/2010

Reviewer is A current student here.

8 out of 8 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

I think this school is great for students that are intelligent, its definitely challenging, but its not like people are throwing themselves off the top of Rush Rhees Library. You will work very hard, but you'll have fun as well. This school is great for the talented. There are an innumerable performance groups, (some with their own albums), clubs for very interesting things like juggling, and even exploring urban areas. Eastman is minutes away and you can take free music or voice lessons there so its great for musicians and vocalists. Also, if you're a people person, I think this school is great for you. I have met people from all over the world in my first semester here, I'm learning a little Swahili here, and Korean there, I danced a little Bhangra and Raas, and my hallmate from Kenya sat me down one night and prepared some traditional tea for me. It has been such a great experience thus far, and I believe it'll be even better in my future here. I really love U of R.

Tips for prospective students

I would advise prospective students to have great grades, and SAT scores, but more importantly, allow their individualism to shine through in their application. Make sure you include your skills, talents, jobs, and extracurriculars in your application, and write a college essay that truly reflects who you are. I believe that today, colleges are looking for students that have so much more to offer than great grades and test scores. They want to see prospective students as unique individuals who will be great influential additions to their student body. At U of R, through meeting my peers and friends I can see why each of them were accepted to the school, they're smart, but they are also incredibly unique and have something interesting to offer besides brains.

Bang for the buck

It is expensive to attend this university, however, I think its money well spent because you are receiving a great education, and have the ability to choose what classes you want to take. There is only one mandatory class for students to take- a writing course, and it helps you become a more well rounded writer on a college level. There are plenty of fun activities, clubs to join, things to do, and see, and they are all free. During finals week ( as well as the week before it) students are practically showered with free food from various restaurants. The pool is awesome, the gym is great, one of our libraries serves free coffee and tea all day, everyday. I definitely think you get some bang for your buck.

Am enjoying being here

I truly enjoy attending U of R. The staff and professors are nice, but the students are great. Everyone I've met here has been very warm, nice, intelligent, and very unique. I think its amazing how interesting the students at our school are. Everyone is extremely smart in at least one subject, and has an interesting talent, skill, or hobby. Even though there may not be an extreme amount of diversity in race or ethnicity, I believe University of Rochester has a very diverse student body. Everyone is unique. The food, in my opinion is pretty good, sure, if you eat the same thing everyday, you'll grow tired of it, but there is variety, and I like it. The curriculum is so unique because you have the power to cater your education to your likes and/ or needs. The facilities are also great. I have a great view of the football feild from my dorm, the campus is always clean, the library is beautiful inside and out, with various places to study whether you like it silent, or you like a little more conversational atmosphere. I really enjoy attending my school.

Am learning a lot

I really am receiving an excellent education here at U of R. I love the professors, and they love to teach the subjects they love. They want students to comprehend the subject, and excel in the future.

Hillary from Palmyra, NY

01/03/2010

Reviewer is A current student here.

16 out of 16 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

UR accepts well-rounded individuals who have the grades, the activities, and the community service. More specifically, UR has an amazing medical program, since it is associated with Strong Memorial Hospital. It also contains the Eastman school of Music, which is one of the best music schools in the nation. However, the Rochester curriculum can really be tailored to fit any type of student. The only necessary quality I would say is dedication.

Tips for prospective students

The University of Rochester loves to see an International Baccaulaureate degree or Advanced Placement credits. And of course, as with any other college, make sure to have plenty of extra-curricular activities and community service.

Bang for the buck

Though it is very expensive, the University of Rochester is very prestigious, a degree from UR means more than from other colleges. In addition, the Career Center will work with you throughout and after your college career to help you find the best job and start earning back some green.

Am enjoying being here

The students and the faculty are great. There is always someone to help you at the University of Rochester with academics. Plus there are literally hundreds of clubs that you can join. These range from cooking clubs to community service clubs to the juggling club and club sports and if we're missing a club that you want it is very simple to create one. In addition there are Varsity sports teams that you can participate in, a cappella groups to sing in and join, and even different interest floors and special housing so that you can share your interests with the people you live with. UR has everything that a college student needs. We have our own bank, buses, car rental, candy store, grocery store, and even a hair and nail salon! UR is perfect for every interest and need.

Am learning a lot

The University of Rochester offers a unique curriculum that allows students to explore their different interests. Instead of wasting time on General Education Requirements UR gives students the freedom to find what really interests them and what they want to do with their lives. The University of Rochester uses a cluster system instead of General Education Requirements. Basically, every student has to take a cluster of at least three classes in three different general disciplines: humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. However, the cluster system is very flexible and can fit in with students' interests, for the most part. In addition, there are other schools at the University besides the College of arts and sciences including, school of nursing, school of medicine and dentistry, school of engineering, and Eastman School of Music. This is nice because it allows UR students to take free voice lessons at Eastman. UR really offers classes for every interest in every subject area.

Work hard in high school, learn how to manage your time effectively, and be yourself during your interview and in your application. U. of R. accepts students based on academic merit, but they also highly consider unique aspects of each student. Make sure to shine!

Bang for the buck

U. of R. is very expensive, and doesn't dispense extremely large merit scholarships, but I find it worth it due to the excellence in academics and research opportunities.

Am enjoying being here

The University of Rochester has an amazing atmosphere. Students are friendly, engaging, lively, and energetic. I have never had more fun in my life, simply due to the diverse dynamic of the body. Acapella, performance arts, and movie nights tend to be a lot more popular than football games, but there are certainly sport fanatics who come here. Our student-body is extremely well-rounded, our campus is beautiful, and the university is a fantastic place to be.

Am learning a lot

The quality of education at Rochester is superb. The professors know what they are talking about and are willing to help you individually after class. Your classmates are some of your best resources because they are struggling through the material at the same time as you. Courses are very challenging, but extremely rewarding. If you are interested in the natural sciences, engineering, or pre-medicine, Rochester is the place to be!

Ashley from Rochester, NY

08/30/2009

Reviewer is A current student here.

8 out of 8 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

The University of Rochester is great for students who are ambitious and really want something out of their college career. It will provide all the tools and resources that areneeded. There are so many opportunities in learning, volunteering, and research as well.

Tips for prospective students

As long as students are willing to be open minded and social, they will find the University of Rochester an incredible place to spend their college years. It has so much to offer, if only you give it the chance.

Bang for the buck

In these hard economic times, it is hard to attend such a pricey college. Although the college is expensive, there are many, many scholarships offered from both outside and from the college itself as well as financial aid and grants.

Am enjoying being here

I have really enjoyed this past year at the college. The University of Rochester is not too small and yet it is not too big either. There is always something to do on campus and if one gets bored, they can always take the shuttle buses to places outside into the city of Rochester. The students here are for the most part very welcoming and kind. As long as you do not lock yourself up in your room and you put yourself out there, you will find the university incredibly enjoyable.

Am learning a lot

One of the great things about the University of Rochester is its curriculum. Unlike many other schools, the curriculum is not rigid and allows students to explore many different subjects. The one required course that all students must complete is the writing course, which is taken freshman year and prepares students for college writing. It is also required that you must complete at least a cluster in each of the three following areas: natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. A cluster is just a group of three related classes. This allows students to double major and explore the many different areas of learning in order to obtain a broad and educated view of the world.

Eloise from Rochester, NY

University of Rochester is great for students who are motivated and want options in their education.

Tips for prospective students

The best tip I can give you is to take advantage of all of the amazing opportunities. There is so much right at your fingertips, why not try something new?

Bang for the buck

It is defiantly an expensive school, but the financial aid is spectacular. Grants, scholarships and work study are all available to students. There are no fees for extra credit hours or taking credits with Eastman School of Music, so you can get everything you want without paying extra.

Am enjoying being here

This is most defiantly exactly what I was looking for in a college. There are activities for every interest. Clubs and organizations are abundant, we have Division III, varsity, club and intercollegiate sports, and music programs such as free lessons and great ensembles are available through Eastman School of Music. The area surrounding the campus is easy to get to with a great transportation system, and has lots of opportunities for fun and relaxation.

Am learning a lot

The curriculum at the University of Rochester is what really makes it special. There are no general education requirements. The only required course for all majors is a writing class, which is offered in many subject areas to allow you to explore a subject different to your major, or enhance your interest in your current major. Students are required to complete a cluster (or minor if you are ambitious) in subject areas outside of your major. Between humanities, social sciences and natural/applied sciences, students major in at least one, and complete a cluster (3 connected classes) or minor in each of the other. You are allowed and encouraged to diversification in an area of your interest, whether or not it is directly applicable to your future career or not. The idea is to have you learn as much as you can about any and all areas of interest. We have a huge number of majors and minors, and you can create your own as well. We are known for our fantastic science and engineering programs, but a little known fact is we are the top political science school for our size! You really get it all!

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